VIOLENT crime in Dorset increased dramatically last year, figures from Dorset Police reveal.

Offences of violence - 14.5 per cent of all crime - increased by 57.3 per cent to 9,084 in the 12 months up to the end of March from 5,776 in the previous 12 months.

Domestic crime where violence was involved also increased by 71.7 per cent, from 575 in the year 2001/02 to 987 in the last 12 months, according to figures which will be presented to the Dorset Police Authority on Thursday.

Police chiefs say the increase is down to changes in the way statistics are recorded, which means that police can record a crime even if a victim or witness refuses to make a complaint.

The system means that all crime in England and Wales is now recorded in the same way.

Jane Stichbury, Dorset Chief Constable, said: "Violent crime and robbery is still of concern and a challenge to Dorset Police, which is tackling the issue very robustly through intelligence-led policing, proactive operations and working with other agencies.

"There is always room for improvement and Dorset Police is never complacent.

"Statistics show that Dorset is the 13th safest county in the country - well above the national average - and still a safe place in which to live, work and visit."

The overall crime rate increased by 13.4 per cent, from 54,951 to 62,297, because of changes in the way crimes are recorded.

Burglaries in Dorset dropped by 11.9 per cent last year, according to the figures.

Statistics for the 12 months up to the end of March reveal that 2,947 homes were burgled in that time compared to 3,346 in the previous 12 months.

They also reveal that the number of people who have been victims of burglary more than once has also dropped by 16.6 per cent, from 271 in 2001/2002 to 226 in the last 12 months. Vehicle crime also fell in the last 12 months according to the statistics, from 9,811 to 9,417 - a drop of four per cent.

Mrs Stichbury said: "The good performance in reducing burglaries and vehicle crime is down to the hard work of police officers and support staff as well as the force's partners in the Crime Prosecution Service, the courts, Probation Service, local council as well as the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships."

The total number of crimes solved increased by 8.4 per cent, from 14,567 in 2001/02 to 15,808 in 2002/03.

Racially aggravated crime increased 35.9 per cent, from 131 to 178, and the number of fatal or serious accidents on the county's roads also increased by 10.1 per cent, from 415 to 457.